March 23, 2017
FROM:
Ma
ry Kubasak, President
Jean Pierce and Hilary Denk, Issues Co-Chairs
Mary Klonowski & Barbara Marsh, Issues Specialists
RE: Support HB2354 -- Call your Legislators
ACTION NEEDED:
HB 2354
is on second reading in the House. It is gathering strong support, so we anticipate that soon it will be in the Senate.
Please call your Representative now to support HB2354.
Find contact information for your state legislators at:
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT:
P
assage of this legislation would provide families and law enforcement an opportunity to prevent someone from using a firearm who, in the judgment of the court, could cause personal harm to him/herself or others.
- This legislation would allow an immediate family member or law enforcement to petition a court for a Lethal Violence Order of Protection (LVOP) if there is a substantial likelihood that a person will, in the near future, cause personal injury to him - or herself or others by owning or possessing a firearm.
- The court may consider evidence of whether the person has made a recent threat or committed a recent act of violence directed at him - or herself or another; violated a protective order of any kind; has been convicted of a violent offense; or engaged in a pattern or violent acts or threats within the past 12 months.
- A court may restrain an individual from purchasing or possessing guns for up to one year.
- A court is authorized to issue a warrant for any firearms in the person's possession.
- A restrained person must immediately surrender all firearms in his or her possession. The law enforcement officer serving a LVOP must also take custody of any firearm or other deadly weapon in plain sight.
- The court must electronically notify state and local authorities within one court day of issuing an LVOP.
- Imposes penalties for abuse of the process: a criminal penalty for anyone who files a petition known to be false.
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